freethinker

American  

[free-thing-ker] / ˈfriˈθɪŋ kər /

noun

1. a person who forms opinions on the basis of reason, independent of authority or tradition, especially a person whose religious opinions differ from established belief.

   Synonyms:

   atheist, agnostic, skeptic

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freethinker British  

/ ˌfriːˈθɪŋkə /

noun

1. a person who forms his or her ideas and opinions independently of authority or accepted views, esp in matters of religion

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Other Word Forms

• freethinking
  noun
• freethinking
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of freethinker

First recorded in 1685–95; free + thinker

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

freethinker

Ms. Collinsworth, a former publisher and magazine editor, gives readers a close-up view of an ambitious freethinker and a lively picture of the milieu in which she operated.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

He considered himself a freethinker, and he wanted to evaluate the Soviet system with his own eyes.

From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2023

Among Kanye West’s defenders, the thinking goes like this: He is a genius, a freethinker, an elevated conscience.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 10, 2022

“He’s a freethinker and has a great sense of humor. Odessa lacks a community spirit in many ways and Chris is trying to change that.”

From Washington Times ● Mar. 22, 2020

Vincenzio was something of a freethinker, by the standards of the day, and had no great love of the forms and rituals of the Church.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

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